Why I Give a Fig - for the Garden to Table Programme

Have you ever got to a point in your life where you are looking for something beyond working 9-5? Beyond being a good parent, a good partner, beyond “success” even?

I am sure it wasn’t just because I was brought up on Dolly Parton and her song “9 to 5” which was played and sung repeatedly to brainwashing levels, that I think there is a better life!

Maybe its old age as I push the big 4 -0 or a mid-life crisis- but darn it; I want my life to mean something, I want to follow my dreams, I want to do something fulfilling!

It was with this thought in mind that I came across an article on Garden to Table.

“The Garden to Table Programme is an exciting new initiative for New Zealand Primary Schools where children aged 7-10 will learn to grow, harvest, prepare and share food.”

ref: www.gardentotable.org.nz

I contacted the Garden to Table Trust who run the programme to see how I could be involved. As it turned out they had an information day planned at two schools that were part of the pilot programme.

I was really excited to be a part of the open day held in June, the sun even came out for us! We visited East Tamaki Primary School in the South Auckland suburb of Otara, and Meadowbank School in Remuera, Auckland.

These schools are on opposite ends of the scale in terms of the Ministry of Education’s decile ratings,(a measure of affluence) but their needs and outcomes from the programme are very similar. We have a large number of our children growing up without recognising the true value of food, and sharing meals.

We have to ask ourselves why gardening and baking has become something that our grandparents (our children’s great grandparents) used to do, what happened to all those quarter acre sections and pots of marmalade? Our increasing population and urban drift is taking its toll- and the great thing about this programme is that it gives the kids the skills to make a difference…and they are!

The children were remarkable; their bright faces said it all as they proudly showed us around their school gardens, and kitchens. There was a real focus on working together, a willingness to share what they had learnt and what they were doing. The kids were into it literally boots and all!

Children are taking their lessons in the school garden and kitchen home, backyards are being transformed into living pantry’s, diets and knowledge about food are being extended, food is being prepared and shared together as a family – these in my opinion are strong foundations for happy, healthy kids.

The kitchen and gardens were helping in other areas of the learning too, for example children were learning maths through measuring or multiplying fractions in the kitchen. It was reported that children who weren’t learning in the classroom where learning through the hands on experience the Garden to table programme offers.

Schools are ingeniously weaving the programme into as many areas of the curriculum as possible and embracing the new medium for teaching. The programme relies on funding, donations and volunteers, and I applaud the effort the Trust and the schools are taking with their tireless campaigning to make the programme a reality.

I am left inspired by the realisation that we can make a difference and encouraged by the enthusiasm and vision shared by the participants who attended that day. I cant wait to be in a position where I can be more involved with the Garden to Table programme in Waikato Schools - roll on 2011!

I feel like I have made another step along my path leading to fulfilment; one which is aligned with my family’s dream of sustainability, my love of gardening, cooking and sharing.

...and thats why I Give-a-Fig about the Garden to Table programme!